Dr. Robotnik, Spaz was a master of drawing this particular design, especially in issue 25. I drew this sketch and then was checking through number 25 for reference and I realized I totally missed the shapes and proportions of what I love about Spaz’s Robotnik.

I think on the Sonic Archives covers, Spaz’s [...]]]> Sketch 2 of 5!

Dr. Robotnik, Spaz was a master of drawing this particular design, especially in issue 25. I drew this sketch and then was checking through number 25 for reference and I realized I totally missed the shapes and proportions of what I love about Spaz’s Robotnik.

I think on the Sonic Archives covers, Spaz’s old style would be Sega Dr. Robotnik is superb. Its a nice return to what I find satisfying about the shapes of the american Robotnik from where he progress’s through issue 39 and then into 50. The Volume 13 cover compared to the actual panel really highlight the differences, its super cool to see him redo that scene.

In fact, its super cool what he is doing with all those covers! I’m thrilled at how well he is pulling off the old Sonic style. When I first saw that stuff on the shelves  I thought it was old art being released for the first time.  I also enjoy getting to see characters like Geoffrey St. John and the main freedom fighter cast as if they were genuine game characters. Looking at those covers really really makes me wish I could draw Sonic comics in the old style. Look at how cool Sonic looks on Volume 1!

I’ve heard that the archive covers will change along with style of the videogames. We’ve gotten a few pieces of art like that for the normal comic covers,  personal favorites of mine are 138 (the color, the color!), 140 (because those Dingo’s look great), 148 (the cover is the most exciting part of the comic!),  and 149 (the silhouette of Shadow is awesome).

Oh hey, I’ve tried looking around online but if anybody knows if Spaz has a site or loads art anywhere, especially sketches and stuff you should let me know. I saw he has done some art for a few Olivia books. Damn, how that guy has got the ability to really knock out some impressive digital stuff.

When I first got the blank cover the direction [...]]]>

This is it. This is the first time I’ve tried mixing gray markers into my art. It worked pretty well and no doubt its my lack of experience that prevents it from being what I saw in my head. Something new to learn and get better at.

When I first got the blank cover the direction was anything Archie Publications owned was cool even though its on specifically an Archie comic. Now there’s just a little bit of doubt as to whether drawing Sonic was acceptable or not. What a downer if it turns out not.

About a year ago I did most of my art drawing in graphite, inking over it, and then erasing all the pencil. Now I’ve gotten use to drawing with blue lead, or printing in blue ink, my pencil lines [...]]]> I forgot to scan just the pencil stage so here it is at both pencil and ink.

About a year ago I did most of my art drawing in graphite, inking over it, and then erasing all the pencil. Now I’ve gotten use to drawing with blue lead, or printing in blue ink, my pencil lines then inking on top of that and dropping out the blue after scanning. I’ve never been in a position where I had to send off original artwork or pencils for someone else. Obviously the ink wont go anywhere but the type of blue lead I use is very difficult to erase. So I forgot that when drawing something like a sketch at a convention or directly onto a blank cover of a comic that I shouldn’t use my blue lead if I want a very clean finish.

Too late, but I thought its not so bad that now whoever wants to get this will have both the construction and the finished art all in one!

I learned about the Hero Initiative last year when they did a Wolverine 100 project sending out [...]]]> I looked around online to see whats going on exactly with Archie number 600. Actually that’s not true, I looked up to try and see what exactly is going on with Archie 600 variant editions and the Hero Initiative.

I learned about the Hero Initiative last year when they did a Wolverine 100 project sending out 100 blank cover issues into the world. The lucky recipients got to draw whatever Wolverine picture they wanted to then be auctioned off on the Hero Initiative ebay store. The money collected from the bidding frenzy is given to comics creators of the past who are in need of some support. Four of those Wolverine issues showed up at Periscope Studio along with some sketch cards, which you can go see here.

It looks like the next Hero Initiative project is currently taking place in conjunction with Archie Comics and its 600th issue where in Archie finally chooses one someone to marry. More blank covers have found their way to Periscope and I happen to get one! From what I understand it doesn’t have to be an illustration of Archie and his gang but can be anything that they publish so that means I decided to draw Sonic the Hedgehog!

I tried to look into whats been announced and perhaps the general buzz about these blank covers but didn’t see much of anything online so far. Hopefully its not meant to be top secret. If I find out it is, this post will disappear.

Here’s what I got so far!

The blank cover given to me,

and then my rough to make sure I have all the characters where I want them and the illustration is going to work. I wanted to draw a wrap around cover so this was vital.

This past Sunday I was lucky enough to meet Mike Fitzgerald, who does a number of things but one of them is work for Pokemon USA. Specifically he’s responsible for designing the pre-constructed decks here in American as well as the rarity system for each new set.

From what he explained Japan has  a different system [...]]]>

This past Sunday I was lucky enough to meet Mike Fitzgerald, who does a number of things but one of them is work for Pokemon USA. Specifically he’s responsible for designing the pre-constructed decks here in American as well as the rarity system for each new set.

From what he explained Japan has  a different system of commons, uncommons,  rares and all that stuff. So what he does is collect several of the Japanese set releases, put it together and reconstruct the rarity. I didn’t get all the details but I would love to know just what the differences are and what type of work goes into planning out a new American release.

I did get a better understanding of the decks, that he is given the two ’stars’ (like Rhyperior and Electavire) and then gets to build everything from there, like what other Pokemon get included and what type of energies to build on and strategies to come up with. He also play tests them extensively to ensure they’re balanced and actually work.

Oh yeah, he used to work for some wizards and while there he released his own game called Wyvern. Pokemon USA is a part-time job for him, the rest of the time he works in radio.

I have an interest in designing games myself as well as being a Pokemon fan, so I had a blast learning all this! Its also glorious because not that long ago my life was hell. Now I’m starting to live my dream and its taking me to most wonderful places and offering me the chance to meet the most incredible people. Who could have ever known?!

That completes part 1. I would love to continue on regularly with part 2 but now I’m working on a professional project for Dark Horse Presents. I’m putting all of my focus on [...]]]> I forgot to post the last page this past Sunday, but it’s posted now.  And there’s oh so much to absorb from it.

That completes part 1. I would love to continue on regularly with part 2 but now I’m working on a professional project for Dark Horse Presents. I’m putting all of my focus on trying to establish  a career for the forseeable future.

Providing for my survival by using creativity and artwork. Oh, what a wonderful possibility!

It was challenging but most certainly a lot of fun to draw. The hardest character for me to draw was Chewbacca.

Revolution: Dream was not updated for the first time this week. I’ve been lucky enough to get an assignment which will be my first professional [...]]]> You  can find them in the comics section right up top.

It was challenging but most certainly a lot of fun to draw. The hardest character for me to draw was Chewbacca.

Revolution: Dream was not updated for the first time this week. I’ve been lucky enough to get an assignment which will be my first professional published work. I’ve been super busy designing characters and concepts and pretty soon will be even busier illustrating the pages! I have at this point, all the pages for the first issuet of Revolution: Dream finished and will be able to return to posting them regularly but as for the second issue… I’ll have to wait and see.

Arceus is available November 7th through the 15th!